Leaving the MTC

Friends and Family, it is time; I leave for Florida TOMORROW morning!!  I am honestly so ecstatic to get out into the field!  The MTC has been such a blast, I never knew that I could grow to love 12 random guys that I have never met so much in just two weeks, but it happened!  I'm going to miss these Elders so much!  When I first got dropped off here, I went inside to get my name tag put on, and the lady asked me if I was ready, to which I hesitantly said yes, and then she slid it onto my shirt and I started bawling; I wasn't ready hahaha!  That experience set the tone for the whole time while here.  I have never worked so hard and long in my life; the Spirit here is so unbelievably strong!  I never really noticed myself growing until I look back on my 12 days here (I know that's not a lot, everyone calls the English missionaries 12 day miracles) and realize how far I have come!  I have learned how to teach, bring the Spirit, invite others and come closer to Christ!  I have never prayed so much (like 25 times a day) and so hard in my life!  It's hard work, but it is so rewarding to see the investigators eyes here light up when you share something that they needed! 

Oh man, Conference was absolutely incredible!  The Spirit that filled the room, every time all of the missionaries stood and sang along was jaw dropping!  I loved the talk by Elder Holland and how he talked about mothers and their love for their children; I couldn't stop crying during his whole talk, I love my mom so much!  Everyone go tell your mom how much you love them, no matter what, they need it and will appreciate it.  Even though i studied "Lehi's dream" a couple time throughout conference, I learned a whole lot and am super thankful that we have Prophets and Apostles on the earth today, without them, I don't know what we would do! WE GOT 3 NEW MEMBERS OF THE QUORUM OF THE 12 APOSTLES!!  That hasn't happened in over 100 years!!  I am so excited for them and can't wait for next conference to hear them speak!

While here I have had some of the most fun that I have had in my life!  One Elder in my zone is a total cowboy and brought a rope to lasso people with, which is rather quite impressive, and it is so funny to watch people's faces as they get hooked at their foot!  We have had some late night conversations (wasn't too obedient,whoops) with funny stories of our lives.  Sister Pearl and I threw some acorns at a campus cop who was in his little golf cart thing; we where trying to land them in the bed of the truck but ended up hitting him, so he turned around and proceeded to tell us that he was going to tell our Branch President about it, nothing happened haha but I learned a good lesson.  During one of our study times, we were being a little loud, laughing and out of no where, a teacher comes into our room and "flamed" us hahaha! 

Gosh I love it here and am sad to say goodbye, but I am so excited to get to Florida to start sharing the Gospel with others and helping them come closer to Christ.  I love y'all so much and miss you lots, but God needs me right now in his army.

Love 

Elder Scipaanboord

PS- People have taken pictures of my name tag and always comment on my name, I've kinda become known as the kid with the crazy name hahaha!

PPS- I'll send you an email of my address in Florida when I get there!(: